Discover how the value of similar works has evolved over the past 10 years. Art is not only beauty — it's an investment.
Discover how the value of similar works has evolved over the past 10 years. Art is not only beauty — it's an investment.
An elegant silver cabinet figure of a knight created in the tradition of German Historicism of the first quarter of the 20th century. The sculpture depicts a warrior in full ceremonial armor holding a sword and shield, standing on an architectural pedestal of complex polygonal form. The figure is executed with pronounced decorative expressiveness: the cuirass, lamellar elements of the thigh armor, richly ornamented pauldrons and the helmet with a plume are carefully modeled. The silver surface is worked in repoussé and partially chased techniques, creating a refined play of light and emphasizing the relief structure of the armor.
A distinctive artistic feature of the object is the face carved from ivory. This contrast of materials, typical of German cabinet sculpture from the late 19th to early 20th century, enhances the effect of polychromy and gives the figure a vivid and theatrical character. The shield is decorated with a relief depiction of an armored hand with a weapon, while the pedestal is enriched with cartouches, mascarons and small sculptural figures of fantastic animals placed at the corners. The entire composition reflects the aesthetics of Renaissance armorial and funerary sculpture reinterpreted within the tradition of Hanau collectible silver.
Marks: Maker’s mark of the Efes workshop; German state silver marks in the form of a crescent and crown; silver standard mark “800”.
Dimensions: Height 29.5 cm.
Weight: 840 g.
Condition: Good collectible condition.
Provenance: Private collection, Hesse.
Expert report: Dr Daniel Suebsman, 2025. CITES certificate available.
Silver cabinet sculptures produced in Hanau during the late 19th and early 20th centuries represent a distinctive category of German decorative arts associated with the Historicist revival of earlier European styles. The city of Hanau in Hesse had long been one of the most important centers of goldsmithing and silversmithing in Germany. From the 19th century onward its workshops developed a strong reputation for creating finely crafted silver objects inspired by Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo models. These works were often designed specifically for collectors who appreciated historical forms combined with high technical refinement.
Among the most recognizable objects produced by Hanau workshops were small-scale sculptural figures representing knights, Landsknechts and allegorical characters. These compositions frequently incorporated ivory elements, especially for faces or hands, allowing craftsmen to create striking polychrome effects that echoed Renaissance sculptural traditions. Such objects combined the qualities of sculpture, decorative silverwork and collector’s cabinet pieces, reflecting the taste for historicizing decorative arts that was widespread among European collectors around 1900.
The iconographic model for many of these knight figures can be traced to the monumental funerary ensemble of Emperor Maximilian I in the Hofkirche in Innsbruck. The tomb is surrounded by a series of imposing bronze statues known as the Schwarze Mander, representing historical and legendary figures associated with the Habsburg dynasty. These Renaissance sculptures became a powerful visual symbol of imperial chivalric culture and were widely admired by artists and historians of the 19th century. Silversmiths working in the Historicist tradition adapted these monumental prototypes into refined cabinet sculptures suitable for private collections.
By the early 20th century such Hanau silver figures had become prized decorative objects in European interiors and collections of decorative arts. They embody the synthesis of historical imagination, technical mastery and the revivalist aesthetic that characterized the decorative arts of the Historicism period.
Good collectible condition. Minor surface wear consistent with age. The silver retains a soft natural patina, and the sculptural details remain well preserved. The ivory face is intact with no visible damage.
The condition report is provided for informational purposes only.
It is not comprehensive and may not reflect all defects, restorations, alterations, or adaptations, as Antiqon does not perform professional conservation-level assessments. The information is based on a qualified, yet subjective, evaluation by our specialists.Before purchasing, we recommend consultation with an independent expert.Please also consult our Terms and conditions and Glossary A-Z, which contain important information on lot characteristics and sale conditions.
